Scotland and England have been plunged into national lockdowns again as coronavirus cases continue to rise at rapid rates across the UK.
The lockdowns are the most stringent restrictions that both north and south of the border have seen since last March, and have been prompted by the spread of a mutant coronavirus strain.
Rules for places of worship in the two countries differ though, with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ordering places of worship there to close, even for private prayer. The exception to the Scottish lockdown is the islands, which remain in tier 3.
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, the Rev Dr Martin Fair, was positive about Ms Sturgeon’s decision to close churches in the Scottish lockdown.
“If that’s what it takes to keep each other safe and particularly to keep the most vulnerable safe, then I’m up for it, absolutely, even when it means the closure of our churches once more,” he said in a Facebook message.
In England, churches can stay open for public worship but different households must not mix.
“You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death, a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony,” the latest government guidance reads.
“You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble when attending a place of worship.”
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, said the changes “underline the severity of the situation”.
“At a time like this, the Church is here to offer comfort and spiritual support to everyone. We have a duty to care for each other, but particularly those who are vulnerable or who may be most at risk,” she said.
The bishop said that churches that choose to remain open must ensure they are “as safe as possible” but added that anyone with concerns, including clergy, should not attend worship in person.
“However, some may feel that it is currently better not to attend in person, and there will be parishes which decide to offer only digital services for the time-being,” she said.
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Harrison Okafor
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
